RELENTLESS FORWARD COMMOTION
RELENTLESS FORWARD COMMOTION

No, REALLY this time…

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When discussing marathon training plans, I often feel like the boy girl who cries wolf . In fact, I even feel like the girl who cries wolf SAYING that I cry wolf…because I’ve cried it a few too many times.

I love running, love love love it. Clearly we all know that by now. Especially my facebook friends. I often wonder how many non-running pals have politely “hidden” my facebook status updates, since they are pretty much incessant running rambles. And while running for for fun and without much purpose certainly gets me through 5k’s, 10k’s, and even half marathons, I’ve learned the hard lesson (four times over) that you simply can not wing a marathon. Or at least not wing a marathon and feel GOOD about it at the finish line.

But there is something about training plans that cause me to freeze up. Just like back in middle school, when your friends all stood around you pushing you to call the boy you have a crush on…you stammer around for 45 minutes getting up the courage…you dial…and immediately hang up. OK maybe not exactly like that, but I do tend to freeze about 2 weeks into the plan, for various reasons.

The best success I’ve had was Marine Corps Marathon 2007, 3 years ago today actually. I sort of did my own thing through out the week (but I still ran) and followed a VERY simple beginners plan for my weekend long runs. Made it up to my 18 miler, then skipped about 4 weeks of long runs (first semester back to school in 5 years, oh , and there was that new baby…) but I manged to eek out a 4:37:00 (on the dot!)

#2, #3, and #4, well let’s just say I learned my lesson, as stated above. *coughcoughIhardlytrained!cough* I walked into #5 with the best of intentions, and hired a coach. Well I burnt out on that too, as having someone as a almost authoritative figure hold me accountable for my training seriously stressed me out. I hated having to report back with my excuses (which were pretty valid, between school , two kids, and what felt like 2 months of being sick, blah) and feeling like I was totally letting someone else down. And long story short, there was that log and the whole ankle deal, and I didn’t even start marathon #5. Or marathon #6, as those 6 weeks off put a HUGE damper on training and overall morale.

So here we (you know, me and Coach Garmin) are, registered for #5, Myrtle Beach Marathon in February. 16 weeks from this Saturday. My “home turf”. I’ve run the half -marathon for the last 6…err 5 years (last year’s blizzard put a damper on our plans!) but for some reason, last March I was compelled to break tradition and register for the full.

And I’m glad I did.
Because I’m super excited to train for this one. And (wolf! wolf! wolf! I swear this time!) I’m going to actually stick with my training plan this time.

“So, what are you going to do differently this time?” I feel you asking with that “I’ll believe it when I see it” look. Well I’m glad you asked. Ahem..

1) PLAN: Not following any crazy plans that I’m going to burn out on. One day, yes, this day, nope. I’m not going to make excuses, I’m just going to be realistic. I’ll be in my LAST semester of school, I have a toddler and a preschooler to tend to without the aid of daycare or preschool, and then there is work, because my money tree has yet to sprout to fund this expensive habit. Or keep the lights on. So, no F.I.R.S.T. plan, no Pfitzinger Advanced Marathoning 55+ mile weeks (though I’m super excited to see some of my training pals do this one for MB! ). Just a simple, decent but not too high mileage plan from runnersworld.com tailored to my current running pace.
2) BASE: I just PR’d in a half marathon on Sunday (woooo!! Still on cloud 9!) I’ve never had this sort of base walking into a marathon training plan. Two thumbs up for me! I overall feel stronger right now. The consistancy of my runs lately, combined with my cross training (and teaching fitness classes 5 days a week) has put a lot more pep in my step.
3)GOALS: No BQ this time (though that would be nice). No sub 4 hour (though I’m not ruling it out). Just the goal of lining up at that start injury free and PREPARED, and crossing that finish line knowing I gave my training AND race all that I could. And I thoroughly believe if I do that, a PR is inevitable.
4) PALS: Since marathon #1, 2, 3, 4, DNS #5 and 6, I have been taken under the wing of an AMAZING group of local runners. Now, all I have to do is actually show up, haha. The same motivation and accountability of a coach, with far, far less pressure and stress. Exhibit A: I really, reaaally didn’t want to get out of bed at 5:30 this morning. But I did, because I knew I had two other girls expecting me at the track for speed work. So I went. And of course, I enjoyed. 16 miles seems far less tedious with a group of friends to chat with, and fast 800’s seem far less painful when you have someone on your side matching you stride for stride.

5) TREADMILL!!! Wooooohoooo! Remember that silly picture of me on the paper treadmill that I pleaded, groveled, and begged you all to vote for? Well I WON I WON I WON! My new Landice L7 Pro Sports Trainer showed up last week and I am over the moon excited! So if all else fails in the planning/mommy adventures/best of intentions life I lead, I have backup, right in my house. No babysitter needed, no inclimate weather excuses allowed. More details on this bad boy to come, but for now, just know that LANDICE kicks @$$ and I’m so excited and blessed (thank you for your votes!)

So there you have it. 5 easy steps to a successful marathon – Run Faster Mommy! style… here goes another chapter in non stop adventure!

Happy running (and training plan following!) my friends!

p.s….thank you for all of your nice comments and support regarding last night’s post. Ironman has listened to it’s fans and rescinded the Ironman access program. I commend them for stepping up, admitting they were wrong, and fixing the problem. I won’t lie though, I still have a bad taste in my mouth over the whole ordeal. But as stated, wherever I end up with MY first 70.3 (I mean 70.0…check it out!) and 140.6 is besides the point. What matters is that it’s my battle and I WILL conquer it.

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  3. Love the top picture – have totally stolen it for my fb pic! I hope you have lots of fun with your running group. I repeatedly sign up for my local clinics so I have that accountability of someone waiting for me. It’s hard to put off a run when you know you’d disappoint someone other than yourself. And congrats on your treadmill! That’s so awesome!

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  6. Awesome Treadmill! Oh, how I would love to have my own treadmill (and a room to put it in)…what doors that would open for me as a mom of three who has to wait until my husband gets home before I can run! I’m glad I found your blog as I begin my venture into bloggy blog world! I’m excited to keep reading.

    Amanda @ http://runninghood-amanda.blogspot.com/

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  8. Good luck with your training. I, too, am doing a marathon in February (the 26.2 with Donna in Jacksonville, FL). I’m also starting my training with a half-mary race base. Curious to see how I’ll do.

    Because of the weird times I train and my work travel schedule, I do a lot of treadmill running. While I REALLY dislike it, it’s convenient. Long runs…> 15 miles…are the worst on a treadmill…

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  10. Congrats on the treadmill. I’m so excited that you won. I feel pretty cool that I helped by voting 🙂 Can’t wait to hear more about it.

    I need to start a new training plan/schedule too. After surviving Portland with a huge lack of proper training I know how important it is. I’m going to try and work up slowly to hopefully keep my knees healthy and get me to a PR.

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  11. very neat on the treadmill!! It definitely helps balancing kids and exercise!! We also have a chariot stroller that works, but only up to about an hour, and then the kids have usually had enough!!

    As for training, last year I was working on a half marathon, and had a program that was designed with long runs only every other week, and the thought process was less chance of injury. I was doing it with another mom who was running her first half, and we both made all the long runs because it didn’t have to happen every single week. Just a thought for you…

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  13. I’m a non-plan planner too. I very very loosely follow my runnersworld plan.

    Congrats on the treadmill! My new tread arrives today, and though the Landice was my first choice… a little out of the price range… that’s unbelievable. (By the way, I went back and looked at the other entries, and yours was by far, the best… by far… you deserved it.)

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